EDC 102 Issue: School Dress Codes

I. Description of Problem or Issue

The issue that we have researched was the problem concerning dress codes and uniforms in our schools today. Some of the main ideas that we looked at were pros and cons, constitutional rights of the students, funding, behavior change and should public schools follow in the footsteps of private schools and adopt uniforms for their students. Some key terms that came up in a majority of the articles were freedom of speech and we came across many advantages of having uniforms. This issue is important because uniforms could overall make a school safer and a better learning community. It is also important because some people do not like the ideas of uniforms and like to be able to wear what they want to express themselves. One of the major issues that results from this topic is who is going to pay for the uniforms if some of the families do not have enough money to buy their students one. Some current efforts that is happening is every year, more and more public schools jump on the bandwagon and have their student wear uniforms. Some students try to fight for their rights against the uniforms if they don't agree or like them, but little do they know that in the end, they could help them.

II. Research Summary

Jackie's research pointed out a lot of good pros and cons concerning the topic of uniforms. Student attendance gets better, grades increase and the atmosphere in school change when uniforms are brought into a school. Some students feel like their rights are being violated when their administration is making them wear a uniform and some parents worry that uniforms will cause their children to compete within other things.

Jessica's research drove home a common point. That school uniforms long favored by parochial schools are an economical way to solve the common problems faced in our schools today. Issues of security? It is easy to spot an intruder. Issues of focus? Students don't care what little miss hottie pants is wearing, because it's the exact same thing everyone else is wearing. There is no baggy jeans and hoodies to conceal weapons or drugs.

Jon's research was able to point out documented changes in behavior. Students who were in uniforms, were generally much better all around students than when they had been allowed to dress freely. He includes personal observations and points to ponder. The majority of his articles gave good arguments for both sides of the issue.

James' research brought into light the debate over the constitutional rights of students, and whether or not dress codes and school uniforms are a violation of those rights. Do students even have rights? Some said yes others say no. This is an on going debate with no end in sight. This only brings to light the information used by the two warring parties on the topic of rights of students.

Dominique tackled the inevitable question of who should have to foot the bill for the mandatory uniforms. It is of course another hotly debated topic as the school says the parents should pay. The parents buy all the other students clothing, why not the school uniform? The parents of course feel as thought the school should pay since they are making the uniform mandatory. The research only goes to show that there are fine points brougth forward from both sides of the issue.

II. Group Product Overview

Overall, Jon will be introducing and concluding the issue the group is presenting. A discussion of the "gangster" type of outfits, and other styles that schools tend to define as inappropriate, as well as a demonstration of a school uniform. Our five questions will be stated on the board and each of us will answer the question we chose, presenting 4-5 basic points. We will then get the class involved by asking their opinion of what they think of each question we present.

III. Visual Representation

"Mind Map" made in class is pictured below.

IV. Research Questions and Reference Summaries

List your research questions and who is researching this question in this table. When each team member begins their research, you should link each question to its corresponding research page. Each researcher should start this page using the template "EDC 102 Fnl Proj Student Research."

	Research Question	Researcher
1.	Does a dress code or uniform modify a students behavior?	Jonathan M.
2.	Should public schools have a uniform?	Jessica K.
3.	Where does school uniform funding come from?	Dominique B.
4.	Do dress codes and uniforms infringe upon student rights?	James M.
5.	Pros and Cons of uniforms	Jaclyn A.

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